A Life Artist at play in the Mystery

Celebrating 60 years, 60 people, 100 posts

“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” Ray Bradbury

This post is in celebration of:

100 blog posts

60 years on the planet

60 people who got me through some rough times

I began this blog in 2009. It was after I’d futzed around for a year trying to get up the energy to write a book. Finally, I decided to surrender the book and create a blog. The title Full Moon Path came about as a result of seeing a road in Montana named New Moon Path. I was on a road trip at the time, trying to decide what to do about my marriage, my life, my everything. I fancied owning a house in the country down a private road named Full Moon Path and I’d have a red barn, like the one in my night time dream, that housed a stage and a piano. It was a flying dream too and I floated above the barn rafters taking it all in. That was in 2004 and in 2009, I finally put the name to use. It didn’t take long for me to discover that the Full Moon Path is so much more than what it seems; 100 posts about shadow, light, cycles, navigating the unknown; the spaces between.

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age.” – Sofia Loren

In June I turned 60. 60 years on this planet. 60 wonderful years well supported by a loving family, good friends, amazing educators, coaches and advisers. I was well feted with numerous phone calls, cards, gifts and dinners. I had the exquisite pleasure of spending a week in Tahoe as the guest of my coach and dear friend, Jeanine. We hiked, explored, collaged our visions, partied with other friends at the Ritz on Northstar and on the beach at Sand Harbor. Here are some photos from that week.

Rincon Trail Lake Tahoe

Eagle Lake

party crashers

Sand Harbor

I’ve lived a privileged life, a colorful life, an introspective and reflective life, a creative life, a coupled and singled life.

I’ve lived in the most beautiful places on the California Coast: San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, Marin County and Santa Cruz.

I’ve lived through my personal dark night of the soul and the karmic lessons of betrayal several times over, the kind of lessons that brought me to my knees and found me shaking my fists at the sky pleading “Please don’t ever make me come back here again!”

It’s the people in my life that form the fibers, the weaving of the supportive hammock that held me aloft, saved me from drowning, these 60 years.

So, I sat down to come up with 60 names I want to celebrate.

The people who were the soft place to land, the homes away from home, the ones who were the first to get the call when everything fell apart, the ones who endured countless “emergency” calls after that.

The ones who helped me see who I am and what I’m made of when the people I thought loved me betrayed me, the ones who re-birthed me, nurtured me and championed me.

All of them told me the truth.

I am not naming the rogues, frenemies and lovers. They hold another position in my life and I honor them too, but they are not the focus of this particular celebration.

I am not naming my family members either, though each and every one of them holds a special place in my hammock.

I smile with tears in my eyes as I write the word celebration because I think of celebration as something with tiaras and loud noise makers, lots of people, music and dancing.

This is somehow quieter. It is this deep river of gratitude that runs through me.

It is so heart-opening to receive the beauty of being loved and cared for by so many others. Try and judge yourself as unworthy, unlovable, not enough (common core limiting beliefs) in the face of so much evidence to the contrary!

So here they are, my friends, my rescuers, my heroes and heroines; the people who were there to pick up the pieces and put them back together again. (There is no order to this whatsoever):

I celebrate the profound gift of being alive to experience receiving, loving and knowing you.

I celebrate you and I thank you for the immense pleasure of your majestic company on this full moon path.

A tiara was involved after all!

PS: I wrote a small note of appreciation to each of the people I named to let them know about this post. I cried for hours as I did so and today I have the swollen eyes to show for it. And, I have a softened and opened heart. I recommend this exercise to all of you. Meanwhile, I have many other friends whom I cherish and who did not have to walk the narrows with me, so may not be on this particular list. It’s just a list. This is a party to which everyone is invited.

Happy Birthday Kathy, I learn from you always… your heart, your openness, your insight… this time about accepting age? I’ll be there in no time too!
And the Bradbury quote, a waking dream for me! Thank you again and happy birthday of celebration of life! I hope I can follow on your example when my turn comes…
Loving
Shuli

Kathy – you are the dearest of friends and while you write that I have been there for you, you too have been there for me many times. So grateful to have you in my life. Here’s to many more years of joy, love and dear friends…and remember – 60 is the new 50 (or the new 40 or something like that…you get the idea!!) I so appreciate the spirit in your words, and the
spirit in you.
Big hugs to you, beloved friend~I love you much, Wendy

Kathy, I am deeply honored to be one of your 60. We have shared a lot of good times together and some of the best walks on the beach EVER! I still talk about those walks and think about our conversations. We will always be friends, even though there are now thousands of miles of land between us. Happy 60th my friend! As it said on the arm band you gave me on my 40th birthday: “Never too old to party!” xoxo

Dear Kathy… I just went back to re-read this and soaked up the resonance of your gratitude for a second time. This post evokes so much beauty… I find myself looking forward to 60 in just a couple of years, thinking about the ways I want to celebrate and honor the love that surrounds and supports me on this adventure. Thank you for a beautiful map… Love, Leza